St. Landry democrat., 1887-08-20
THE RAPPAHANNOCk.

After CEDAR nun, Wnat next:
The base of operations of the Union army
Of the east was now the Rappahannock river,
After Cedar Run, Pope gradually withdrew
his army to the Rappahannocks north bank,
leaving it between himself and the Confed-
crates Meantime Lee massed his whole
army around jackson, between the Kappa
hammock and the Rapidan, $1,000 strong.
BE was led to this by curious incident,
which shows on what small things great
events turn. The Confederate Col. Mosby
had been prisoner of war, but had been ex-
changed early in August. On the way to
Richmond he passed Fortress Monroe. He
saw there Burnside's troops embarking for
some place Where? By means known to
himself, he found out it was the Rappahan-
mock. The moment he set foot on the shore
below Richmond, he hurried to Gen. Lee and
told him. BY relays of galloping couriers,
Lee dispatched the word to Jackson on the
Rapidan.
The Federal cat was now out OF the bag.
Burnside's corps had been sent for from
North Carolina to swell the Army of Fir-
ginia, and not to REINFORCE Mcclellan on
the James. At the same time reports reached
Richmond that McClellan's army was leav
ing the peninsula.
McClellan's army had not reached Freder-
icksburg, on the way to join Pope, when
(Aug 2O) Lees IS, 900 men, himself command
ing in person, faced Popes army of some
thing over 10000 on the Rappahannock. Pope
was On the north side, Lee on the south, at
tempting to cross. Pope's watchfulness pre-
vented, however. Pope, knowing Lees
greater numbers, could not attack. He called
loudly for endorsements, which were prom
ised him certainly by Aug. %.
Both Lee and Pope were meditating hostile
movements when, on the night OF Aug 22, a
tremendous rainstorm came, which stopped
efforts to cross the river by either army. But
on that eight another of the odd, small Incl
dents which determine great events happened.
Pope's headquarters were at Catlet's Station.
ten miles behind the center Of his line. The
daring Confederate cavalryman, Stuart,
1elected that night for a raid. He had crossed
the Rappahannock before the storm. He
swept around to the Federal rear and charged
directly upon Pope's headquarters. There
were confusion and wild fleeing. Pope him
self escaped, leaving hat and coat behind him
His dispatch book was captured, however
That was all Lee wanted to give him most
accurate information, and the result shows
be made good use of it. A negro guided
Stuarts cavalry to Pope's tent.
The raid was begun Aug. %. Jackson hur
ried quickly up the south bank of the Kappa
hammock, crossed it above Popes army, and
fastened north to Thoroughfare Gap, through
which the railroad from Strasburg to Alex
andria passed. His soldiers were called the
Foot cavalry" on account of the speed they
had attained in marching. On their right
went the indomitable j. E. B. Stuart, with
Ill his cavalry. Swiftly, silently they
marched, like the spirit of destruction.
Don't shout, boys; the Yankees will hear
MS, said jackson.
Lee formed the bold plan of crossing the
Rappahannock, getting in Popes rear, and
cutting him off from Washington For this
difficult and dangerous task he selected one
who had been proved to be the bravest,
shrewdest, most reliable officer in his army,
Stonewall Jackson